Phosphates bottoming out

Cbones1979 · Oct 3, 2020

Ike said:
Skimming will have little impact on PO4 levels. You need high protein food that your fish can consume and then convert into residual P and resulting N. If your N gets too low then less skimming is a solid option.

I’m using high protein cubes now, I think I just don’t have enough fish poo

what do you think?

Ike · Oct 3, 2020

Protein = Phoshorous, and phosphorous and protein are necessary building blocks for life, though it doesn't need to be present in high levels. It's why I've always been baffled by people's desire to drive PO4 ultra low and avoid foods with high concentrations of PO4 such as high protein dried foods. If you're not growing any algae, you're probably not growing much un general... Also, certain types of corals seem to struggle far more with low P levels than others.

It's an oversimplification, but that's the "basics" as I understand them.

Cbones1979 · Oct 3, 2020

Ike said:
Protein = Phoshorous, and phosphorous and protein are necessary building blocks for life, though it doesn't need to be present in high levels. It's why I've always been baffled by people's desire to drive PO4 ultra low and avoid foods with high concentrations of PO4 such as high protein dried foods. If you're not growing any algae, you're probably not growing much un general... Also, certain types of corals seem to struggle far more with low P levels than others.

It's an oversimplification, but that's the "basics" as I understand them.

I figured 7 fish for this tank and I’m only at 3 now. Probably need some more protein poo

Cbones1979 · Oct 3, 2020

Ike said:
Protein = Phoshorous, and phosphorous and protein are necessary building blocks for life, though it doesn't need to be present in high levels. It's why I've always been baffled by people's desire to drive PO4 ultra low and avoid foods with high concentrations of PO4 such as high protein dried foods. If you're not growing any algae, you're probably not growing much un general... Also, certain types of corals seem to struggle far more with low P levels than others.

It's an oversimplification, but that's the "basics" as I understand them.

Corals seem fine but only had a bit of algae on glass yesterday. First time

Ike · Oct 3, 2020

Cbones1979 said:
I figured 7 fish for this tank and I’m only at 3 now. Probably need some more protein poo

I've been doing this for 35+ years, and if there's one think I've learned is that when I have a healthy and growing tank it's important to ramp up input of PO4 with more feedings and more fish to meet demand. CUC also plays a very important roll and they will convert PO4 into body mass/skeletal mass and recycle nutrients from algae that is consumed.

Cbones1979 · Oct 3, 2020

Ike said:
I've been doing this for 35 years, and if there's one think I've learned is that when I have a healthy and growing tank it's important to ramp up input of PO4 with more feedings and more fish to meet demand. CUC also plays a very important roll and they will convert PO4 into body mass/skeletal mass and recycle nutrients from algae that is consumed.

Thanks man

Ike · Oct 3, 2020

Cbones1979 said:
I’m using high protein cubes now, I think I just don’t have enough fish poo

what do you think?

Frozen food has a lot of water in it, the concentration of protein can be fairly low as a result.

Marc2952 · Oct 3, 2020

Cbones1979 said:
Think this would work? I can get tomorrow. The other stuff comes end of next week

Thats ths one i currently use and its perfect for me, i mix a gallon of RODI with this and it would last me a year.

Ike · Oct 3, 2020

Cbones1979 said:
Thanks man

Read that as ramping up P and N, and in proper ratios as it relates to how inhabitants utilize it to grow.

If you had/have kids and they were growing quickly would you still try to keep feeding them the same amount if they double in size?

Also of note, Acropora and certain montipora seem to be harmed more readily with limited N and P, while other corals seem to tolerate it and do fine with very low levels. I believe it has to do with prey capture and how much nutrition is taken from prey capture vs. taking in nutrients for their nutritional needs. Acropora prey capture is very specialized, while other corals can consume and digest larger micron foods.